Why this should concern you

This library doesn't just concern the Father Ibrahim Sarrouj. It concerns all Lebanese, all those who believe that we (all sects) are meant to co-exist together. Lebanon, our country, is heading towards the unkown and we should act now and join hands.

This campaign doesn't have to do with any political/religious faction. We have rejected every political party that approached us for funding because we want to remain the library of all Lebanese in the heart of Tripoli, and against extremism.

If we gather 10,000 lebanese to each just put in $5 we could easily reach the $50,000 and show the world that we, the people, are capable.

How will the funds be spent?

We are still evaluating till now the amount of damage that struck the library. The owner of the library has to go through the digital archive and cross-check all the books that are missing.

Our minimum goal is to reach $35,000 as this will allow us to:

Repair the library: buy new bookshelves, new front door, paint the wall,

Buy back rare books

Install security equipment

However, we need much more to refill the library and make it better than before.

The History of Al-Saeh Library

Al Saeh Library is a 40-year-old bookshop founded by Father Ibrahin Sarrouj, located in the old city souks of Tripoli in northern Lebanon. The Library contains more than 87 thousand titles, including rare books and precious religious scrolls.For the past few years, businessmen with political connections have continued to pressure Father Sarrouj to close the library. On January 3rd 2014, the library was then burned by a group of ignorant people. As a first reaction, hundreds of people gathered and participated in a sit-in the day after the burning, and began donating money and books to save the library and bring it back better than before.The campaign, named "Kafana Samtan," is now moving forward by the people's support, without any political and sectarian backing, and made the decision to restore the library so it can again be opened to the public soon.

I can't contribute financially, but I would like to support this campaign

It's okay, really! In fact, you could help us much more with the following:

Share this campaign on Facebook or Twitter. You could find the links above!

A priest known for always defending the unity of Tripoli. He was speaking to the whole neighborhood, saying ‘as-salamu alaykom’ [‘hello’]. He has helped many students at the Lebanese University in making donations of books. He is a humanist.

Send a message to Ibrahim Sarrouj

Rewards

We will send you a "thank you" video from the owner of the library Father Ibrahim Sarrouj to your personal email

$15 or more

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LIMITED FIRST 50 - BURNT LAMINATED LIBRARY PAPER

OUT OF STOCK

A burnt book paper extracted from the ruins of the library to remind you of your generous contribution in rebuilding the 2nd largest library in Lebanon

$25 or more

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BURNT LAMINATED LIBRARY PAPER

9897 Available

A burnt book paper extracted from the ruins of the library to remind you of your generous contribution in rebuilding the 2nd largest library in Lebanon

$100 or more

→
SPECIAL THANK YOU SIGNED BY FATHER IBRAHIM SARROUJ

23 Available

You will receive a burnt book paper extracted from the ruins of the library to remind you of your generous contribution in rebuilding the 2nd largest library in Lebanon + a special thank you letter signed personally by the owner of the Library